Re: Science killed Asimov

From: hal@finney.org
Date: Thu Mar 07 2002 - 10:25:13 MST


> http://www.newscientist.com/opinion/opbooks.jsp?id=ns23327
> It's Been a Good Life is a cut-down version of Asimov's three-volume
> autobiography with some additions, primarily from letters he wrote his
> widow, Janet Jeppson Asimov, plus her epilogue. The one significant
> revelation is that Asimov died of AIDS, contracted during bypass surgery.
> The information was withheld from the public on his doctors' advice.

First, doesn't it sound strange to talk about letters he wrote to his
widow? When exactly did he marry his widow? Did he and his widow have
a good time on their honeymoon? Seems to me that "wife" works a little
better here.

Second, why would the decision to keep his AIDS secret be based on the
doctors' advice? Public relations issues seem a little outside the
range of the doctors' expertise. It makes more sense to me that it was
a personal decision by the Asimovs to avoid the notoriety and potential
stigma of an AIDS diagnosis.

Hal



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